Bridgeton toddler's body was burnt, dismembered, police say

A memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found underneath a shed at the family's home.
Adam Monacelli, Vineland Daily Journal

BRIDGETON – The burned and dismembered remains of a 23-month-old boy originally reported as violently abducted by his mother last week were found hours later in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive early Saturday, according to court papers released on Monday.

A complaint sworn out on Saturday charges the mother, 24-year-old Nakira M. Griner, with first-degree murder; second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; second-degree desecration of human remains; and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

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A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

A roadside memorial was on display outside the Bridgeton home of 2-year-old Daniel Griner Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Authorities say his burned and dismembered remains were found in a purse and trash bags underneath a shed at the family's home on Woodland Drive. Adam Monacelli/Staff Photographer

24-year-old Nakira Griner of Bridgeton is charged with first-degree murder; second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; second-degree desecration of human remains; and fourth-degree tampering with evidence. Provided

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Griner said she had her other child, an infant son, strapped to her chest. Daniel Jr. was in a stroller, she told police.

A complaint filed by Detective Veronica Cappoli states: "She stated she felt someone kick her; she fell to the ground and was repeatedly kicked on her right side and head. Nakira said when she looked up the stroller with D.G. Jr. was missing. Nakira was not able to provide any descriptions of the accused or her route she ran after the attack."

The family home was searched and remains identified as human were found about 3 a.m. Saturday.

Before the remains were found, police said the mother's story had changed.

She reportedly gave investigators a different location for the claimed attack, which she now placed on Fayette Street near Lincoln Street. However, police said, images from video surveillance cameras were "inconsistent" with her statement.

The stroller was recovered on Devonshire Place, a few blocks south of Atlantic Street.

Police said the mother also failed a polygraph examination with New Jersey State Police. The affidavit Cappoli filed states that Nakira Griner admitted during the examination to having hurt her older son.

Nakira Griner(Photo11: Provided)

Coppoli stated the Nakira Griner said she left bruises on the boy's face and that he also had fallen down stairs. She told police she hit the boy because he would not eat or listen to her, according to the report.

"She then said that she left D.G. Jr., who was still alive, by himself on Devonshire Place because she wanted someone to find him and help him because no one would believe her," Cappoli stated.

The case started on Friday with Bridgeton police responding at about 6:36 p.m. to the area of New and Giles streets for a report of a screaming woman.

Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said the Child Abduction Response Team started the search. City police, the Prosecutor's Office, police, and New Jersey Park Police bloodhounds assisted.

Griner is in the county jail pending a detention hearing this week in county Superior Court.

Joseph P. Smith; jpsmith_dj; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com.

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Jeff Lindsey speaks during a vigil for Walter L. Brown III at the Vineland Midget Football League grounds on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019. Brown was fatally shot during a reported home invasion last week.
Adam Monacelli, Vineland Daily Journal